Telogen Effluvium vs Male Pattern Baldness (MPB) – Differences

Telogen Effluvium (TE)

It is one of the most common forms of non-scarring alopecia for which sufferers present to a dermatologist. TE is characterized by diffuse shedding of telogen hairs in response to psychological or metabolic stress.

TE was first described by Kligman in 1961 as a disease of the hair follicle.

The hair cycle has three phases:

growth phase (anagen);

transitional phase (catagen);

resting phase (telogen).

TE is associated with the telogen phase. In a patient with TE, some change pushes more hairs into the telogen phase.

Typically, 5 to 10% of a person’s hair is in the resting phase at any one time. However, in people with TE, about 30% of the hairs stop growing and go into the telogen phase before falling out.

It usually starts 8 to 12 weeks after a triggering event, like – major illness, pregnancy, or complicated surgery, and resolves within 3 to 6 months.

Chronic telogen effluvium is a diffuse hair loss of scalp which persists for more than 6 months. It can affect both women and men, however, it is mostly women between the ages of 18 and 50 who experience it.

Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)

Male pattern hair loss, also referred to as androgenetic alopecia, is a form of hair loss with a particular pattern. The first stage is typically a receding hairline and a thinning of the hair on the temples and crown. Over time, the loss of hair continues around the top of the head as well as on the sides and rear of the head.

Accounting for more than 95 percent of all hair loss cases, MPB is the most common cause of hair loss in men. According to statistics, approximately 50 million men in the US are affected.

The increased hair shedding in TE occurs due to a disturbance of the normal hair cycle. Common triggers of TE include:

Image credit – https://www.flickr.com/photos/tbwb/24085971698

severe emotional stress;

severe fever;

surgical operations;

accidental trauma;

nutritional deficiency;

sudden starvation;

crash diet;

horrible hemorrhage;

chronic systemic diseases;

pregnancy.

MPB is thought to occur mainly due to an elevation of dihydrotestosterone (a hormone with powerful androgenic actions), that is produced from testosterone. This elevation of dihydrotestosterone causes the follicles to shrink and eventually stop functioning properly. Occasionally, baldness has other causes, like:

The diagnosis of TE can be made by a healthcare professional experienced in treating people with hair disorders after a thorough examination of the hair and scalp and a discussion of the patient’s medical history. In addition, blood tests should be carried out if the hair loss is longer than 6 weeks.

A trichologist can easily identify MPB and ”stage it” appropriately with a video microscope.

TE

There is no treatment required for TE as the hair will start growing back as usual once the trigger is removed. In patients where hair growth has not returned to normal levels, your healthcare professional may prescribe a lotion that is applied to the scalp which may stimulate hair growth, called – minoxidil (Rogaine).

MPB

If you have noticed hair loss, one of the most effective ways is to block dihydrotestosterone using a combination of minoxidil, finasteride, and a dihydrotestosterone blocking shampoo.

Important Note

Minoxidil and finasteride can have side effects, such as:

changes in the color or texture of the hair;

severe scalp irritation;

confusion;

fast heartbeats;

dizziness;

unwanted growth of facial hair;

headache;

chest pain;

a light-headed feeling;

rapid weight gain;

swelling in the hands or feet.

Bottom Line – Telogen Effluvium vs Male Pattern Baldness (MPB)

TE is a non-scarring alopecia that is described by excessive shedding of telogen club hair diffusely from the scalp. Depending on the length of time, or whether this increased shedding persists, it is referred to as acute or chronic. In acute TE, the shedding can persist for up to 6 months, whereas chronic TE can last for several years, and it is more common in women.

Male pattern baldness affects over fifty percent of men over the age of 50. It is thought that dihydrotestosterone has adverse effects on hair follicles.

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